The fight goes on.
Indivisible Santa Barbara took to the streets again on Saturday to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) deportations.
“Murder is taking place across the nation,” said E.J. Borah, an activist and member of the Democratic Women of Santa Barbara.
About 1,000 people gathered near the corner of Hope Avenue and State Street, and then marched up the street near Target to protest ICE and the Trump administration. The protest happened on the same day that ICE shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis.
Borah held a megaphone and waved a sign that said “ICE OUT FOR GOOD,” a reference to Renee Nicole Good, who also shot and killed by ICE a week ago.
Indivisible Santa Barbara held several protests in 2025, downtown, on Cabrillo Boulevard and weekly on upper State Street. The crowd sizes varied, but the largest event attracted about 10,000 people to the waterfront for a “No Kings” rally.
Among those participating on Saturday was Jaylia McGary.
“What brings me out here today is I want to support the community of minorities, the people who are being taken and just treated not like humans,” McGary said.
Keith Carlson, president of Indivisible Santa Barbara, carried an American flag at the event.
“We’re proud of our community,” Carlson said. “Part of what we offer is just the amount of community spirit that people see.”
He said ICE’s actions are prompting people to go out and take a stand.
“People come out like this where we have 1,000, maybe, maybe more, because of the things that are happening in the city, the things that are happening in the county, the things that are going on in Minneapolis and Minnesota,” Carlson said.
Indivisible Santa Barbara plans a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m., Monday at the dolphin fountain at the foot of Stearns Wharf to recognize “innocent protesters,” who have died at the hands of ICE.
“This is way more than a distraction from the Epstein files, this is an attempt to terrorize and cower citizens into compliance,” said Ian Paige, a member of Indivisible Santa Barbara’s steering committee.
Indivisible Santa Barbara encourages people to bring an electronic candle, flashlight or charged mobile phone and signs.
